Hampton Roads is split by water. The Southside (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk) and the Peninsula (Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown, Williamsburg) are joined by bridge-tunnels, and a crossing at rush hour can turn a short distance into a long drive. Pick your side of the water first.
Neighborhoods by base
Naval Station Norfolk
Ocean View, Wards Corner, Ghent and Downtown Norfolk are close by; many families live in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake and drive in on I-64 or I-564.
NAS Oceana / Dam Neck
Virginia Beach neighborhoods around Hilltop, Lynnhaven and Red Mill put you close to both Oceana and Dam Neck, and near the oceanfront.
JEB Little Creek–Fort Story
Shore Drive, Bayside and the Chesapeake Beach area of Virginia Beach, plus East Norfolk.
Langley AFB
Hampton, especially around Coliseum Central, Fox Hill and Phoebus, and Poquoson.
Fort Eustis
Newport News neighborhoods like Denbigh and Kiln Creek, plus Williamsburg and James City County.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth (Olde Towne, Churchland), Chesapeake (Western Branch) and Suffolk.
NWS Yorktown / TRACEN Yorktown
York County (Grafton, Tabb), Newport News and Williamsburg.
Coast Guard Base Portsmouth
Portsmouth and Chesapeake are closest; Norfolk is across the river.
Commute tips
- Live on the same side of the water as your base if you can.
- Check the drive at your actual reporting time and gate before you sign.
- Distances on Near Base Rentals are approximate straight-line miles, not drive times. Crossing the water (HRBT, MMMBT) can double a commute.
Housing offices
Each installation's official page on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS lists its housing office. Start there for on-base waitlists and off-base help.